Rookies prevail in international Bible Quiz

Team quizzed on books of Romans and James.

Team quizzed on books of Romans and James.

August 03, 2006|KIM KILBRIDE Tribune Staff Writer

The rookie Bible Quiz team from St. Mark Missionary Church proved it's top notch at the international competition held recently at Bethel College. The six-member group walked away No. 1. They're considered rookies because they've been involved in teen quizzing for less than two full years. But, these students are anything but novices. One member has been quizzing longer than she's been in school. All of the others, except for one, have been involved in children's quizzing. In Bible quizzing, which is generally organized by individual denominations, a team of students is pitted against another team. The quiz master asks questions about specific sections of the Bible -- this year it was Romans and James -- and the first student to jump off of his or her electronic seat cushion gets an opportunity to answer the question. Students might be asked to finish a Bible verse or name the author of a verse or recite a verse in its entirety. At St. Mark's, which is located at 55240 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, there also is an experienced group of quizzers. Both teams practice weekly throughout the season, which lasts from September to June or July. There are competitions monthly, on Saturdays, some that take the teams as far away as Canada. The kids' reasons for participating in Bible Quiz are varied. "Some people do it because it's fun. Some do it because it's interesting learning God's word," said Beth Peters, a freshman at Jimtown High School. "It's clean fun," said, Katie Zook, a sophomore at Jimtown and co-captain of the Bible Quiz team. "It's a fun way to do it (learn the Bible). So why not?" Becky Marks, whose husband, Tom, coaches the rookie team along with Jeanne Fox, said it really doesn't matter why kids decide to become involved. "They join for different reasons ... social, fellowship, discipleship, to learn the Word," she said. "And that's OK." This team is already looking ahead to next season. Members have their quiz books and have already begun perusing the book of Acts. "It's something you carry around with you and pull out when you have spare time," said Mandy Fox, a freshman at Jimtown and Bible Quiz team captain at St. Mark's. "It becomes part of you, of who you are," she said Staff writer Kim Kilbride: kkilbride@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6554